Gavin Manders, Bermuda’s most decorated tennis player, has been named in the island’s squad for the Pickleball World Cup, which takes place in Peru next month.

Manders, now the national director at Pickleball Association Bermuda, is the biggest name among 17 Bermuda players heading to Lima and will compete in the open elite division from Ocrtober 22 to 28 alongside Alvaro Triana, Jasper Thomas and Benjamin Jones.

Sasha Fisher, Melissa Judd and Imani Phillips have been selected as Bermuda’s elite women players at the global showpiece.

“Participating in the World Cup is a monumental opportunity for Bermuda,’’ Manders said.

“It not only allows our athletes to gain international experience, but also positions Bermuda as a leader in the Caribbean region.

“This event is just the beginning of our long-term strategy to build competitive pickleball teams and develop future champions.

“World Cup participation is directly tied to Bermuda’s vision of regional leadership, with plans for the first-ever Caribbean Championships scheduled for February 2025.

“We are working with other Caribbean nations to establish a competitive structure that will elevate the sport regionally, with the ultimate goal of hosting international events on the island in the future.”

According to the PAB, Bermuda’s team for the World Cup was based on a comprehensive evaluation of player performances in international and local tournaments, and their Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating. Results from two national trials, held on held on March 17 and June 9, were also taken into consideration.

Bermuda’s chosen players will get an opportunity to compete against 27 nations in the elite division and 16 in the senior section and they will face opposition from players from the United States, Brazil, China, and Bermuda’s regional counterparts, Bahamas and Cayman Islands.

Jaden Jones, an up-and-coming tennis player, has also been selected as part of the PAB junior initiative.

“His participation reflects the association’s commitment to developing the next generation of talent, providing an aspiring junior player with invaluable international experience at the World Cup,’’ said Danny Fox, the PAB vice-president.

“This is a key component of our long-term athletic development plan, focusing on high-performance development for juniors.

“The open elite team is funded through the Sports Investment Programme, while other team members have raised their own funds or are self-funded.

“This combination of support highlights the dedication of both the athletes and the community in ensuring Bermuda is represented at this prestigious event.”

Manders's son Kai will also be playing, with the 6-year-old set to compete in the under-8 division.

“I’m raising funds separately for Kai because he is different from the World Cup selection,’’ the PAB national director said.

“He’s competing in a division that’s different from the adult group. I’m paving a way for a new path where he will play tennis and pickleball. Getting the best of both worlds while being a part of all the first-time events in pickleball.”